Wireless networks as an infrastructure for mission-critical business applications

Despite the dynamic growth of wireless network systems, their presence in business-support infrastructure has been limited. In the article we provide an overview of generic corporate network architecture and examine usefulness of available wireless network solutions in such systems. Following this overview we analyze new wireless network architecture which currently undergoes standardization process - wireless mesh. It can result in significant increase in both bandwidth and reliability of complex wireless systems, even to a level suitable for mission-critical business applications. In conclusion we point out research directions and topics which are critical for integration of wireless solutions into business-support network infrastructure as they differ from currently followed main line of standardization works on the subject.